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As I mentioned, larger sizes are the norm these days. If you can fit it in, I would even consider the 55.
Thanks much! I have a maybe dumb question...I was looking at Best Buy site and among the options to choose was the filter for "smart platform" -- and offered Roku, Android, Smart and Fire.
Right now I have an Amazon Fire stick in the HDMI 1 slot. If, for example, I chose a "Fire" platform,
does that mean I would no longer actually use the stick I have now?
As a non-techie, and a veteran of AT&T tech visits where something else _always goes wrong...I would be inclined to get their Geek package for set-up and support. Any opinion of their services?
I would guess the smart platform is what is built into the TV. There are TVs produced with these platforms built in. For example my 10 year old 1080 Sony Bravia is a smart TV, my other two Sony Bravia TVs are Android based Platforms.
Problem with Smart TVs is the app is sometimes not updated. That happened with my 1080, the Amazon Prime app about a year or two ago was no longer updated by Amazon and therefore, stopped working. Amazon notified me of this a good three months in advance and offered a firestick at a discount. However, I purchased a Roku stick, plugged it in and have had no problems. In fact the interface on the smart TV was getting a bit old, so was not upset. Just plugged the Roku into a HDMI slot. And I use the Roku for all programs neflix, HBO max, etc., and have never used the smart TV functions since the Roku was plugged in. Other apps might have failed by now.
I cannot see why the amazon firestick would not plug into and work in any TV HDMI slot regardless of platform.
I also will say I worry that someday the Android apps might stop working on the android based TVs. Eventually, sony will not keep the android software level up to date and eventually the app will not be able to update. Probably take a few years and if that happens, and TV is still going strong, I could probably plug in another Roku. (It happened with an Android Tablet I have.)
Thanks much! I have a maybe dumb question...I was looking at Best Buy site and among the options to choose was the filter for "smart platform" -- and offered Roku, Android, Smart and Fire.
Right now I have an Amazon Fire stick in the HDMI 1 slot. If, for example, I chose a "Fire" platform,
does that mean I would no longer actually use the stick I have now?
As a non-techie, and a veteran of AT&T tech visits where something else _always goes wrong...I would be inclined to get their Geek package for set-up and support. Any opinion of their services?
Since you have a Firestick already, that covers the 'Fire' so you can leave that as it is.
Get something else with the TV, your preference. Not sure what they mean by Android, you need some kind of app store to get apps, it could be the service from google. That one is up and coming.
Roku is also very popular and the 'Smart' comes standard with most TV's. That has it's own selection of apps but is more limited than Fire or Roku.
If a TV ships as an Android TV (such as Sony and a few others produce) it is just like a large Android phone hanging on the wall.
You have a screen with Android apps such as Netflix, Prime, CBS..etc., You have an icon for the Play Store to add more apps. Just go to Play Store type in a name with the remote and if there is an app, it will appear.
"Up and coming" makes it sound like it is new. I have a four year old Sony Bravia in the bedroom that is an Android model, and the one in the picture is just about a year old.
I guess one way to explain is on an Android TV, the apps that are on a smart TV are supplied and maintained via Google's play store and the owner of the application, vs. on a smart TV the app is only controlled by the TV manufacture and the applications owner.
2. Decide what size you want. Personally, I think 50-inch is the smallest size to consider. No one has ever said: I wish I bought a smaller TV. (We just upgraded two 50-inch TVs to one 55-inch and one 77-inch.)
3. Decide on a budget. Don't lowball. After all, you are dividing the cost by 10 years.
4. Consider getting a sound bar. The speakers inside TVs today are not very good. The Yamaha SR-C20A is only $150. The Sonos Arc is amazing, but it also $800.
5. Smart or dumb TV does not matter as in the long run you will separate the TV and the streaming device (Firestick, Roku, Apple TV). TV manufacturers are notorious for not updating the software in their smart TVs.
6. You want 4K support. All new content is 4K.
7. The remaining choice is OLED vs not. (QLED is not OLED, but a marketing gimmick to confuse the unwary.) OLED provides a better picture, but the cost is about 3-4x. I personally think OLED is worth it, but, then I was not constrained by cost.
8. You may need to replace your Firestick with a newer model for 4K support.
We were torn between the Samsung and a Sony. When I went to the store and looked at the pictures side by side, the color on the Sony was more pleasing, especially the white. So we bought the Sony. I also have an LG which I like but the Sony does have more pleasing color rendition.
Notice I said more pleasing, not better. I think color and sound are personal choices.
2. Decide what size you want. Personally, I think 50-inch is the smallest size to consider. No one has ever said: I wish I bought a smaller TV. (We just upgraded two 50-inch TVs to one 55-inch and one 77-inch.)
3. Decide on a budget. Don't lowball. After all, you are dividing the cost by 10 years.
4. Consider getting a sound bar. The speakers inside TVs today are not very good. The Yamaha SR-C20A is only $150. The Sonos Arc is amazing, but it also $800.
5. Smart or dumb TV does not matter as in the long run you will separate the TV and the streaming device (Firestick, Roku, Apple TV). TV manufacturers are notorious for not updating the software in their smart TVs.
6. You want 4K support. All new content is 4K.
7. The remaining choice is OLED vs not. (QLED is not OLED, but a marketing gimmick to confuse the unwary.) OLED provides a better picture, but the cost is about 3-4x. I personally think OLED is worth it, but, then I was not constrained by cost.
8. You may need to replace your Firestick with a newer model for 4K support.
Thanks Dave! Very helpful! I was one of those confused by the OLED vs QLED And I have the "first generation" FireStick so I am sure you're right about needing an upgrade!
In my experience, it is really hard to tell the difference between 4k and HD on streaming sites like Amazon and Netflix. The eye can just not discern the pixels 10ft or more from the screen.
The bitrate is not usually high enough to make a difference. That is dependent on not only your internet speed but the host as well. i.e. Amazon servers. You may get 4k resolution but a lower bit rate which affects how clear the picture looks, even if you have fast internet.
You can search for "4k" in Netflix or Amazon and play something that specifically states 4k. Then watch anything else in 1080p. In my opinion, the only way to see if you are getting true 4k vs 1080 is when you get really close to the screen. I use a 50" 4k TV as a monitor and sit only a couple of feet in front of it. I know it is 4k, everything is still crisp and sharp even close up.
That said, 4k is still the way to go on any new TV. The Firestick 4k is better than other models in more ways than just the resolution.
Neither my Sony nor my LG needs a sound bar. I don't have surround sound, but the sound from both sets is excellent. I was surprised by how good the quality was.
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